Thursday, February 3rd 'What If' Question

Almost doesn't count in racing but for Richard Petty Motorsports driver AJ Allmendinger there have been a few occasions where he almost won his first Sprint Cup Series race.

Driver of the No. 43 Best Buy Ford Fusion has developed into quite the little racer as they say and through all the internal problems that have plagued RPM, he hasn't lost focus of his main goal. Last season in Dover, Allmendinger again came close to victory, contending with the likes of Kyle Busch and Jimmie Johnson until troubles found him.

As the new season looms the predictions start and Allmendinger has made a few lists by those (including yours truly) who believe he will win his first race in 2011.

A driver winning their first career race is a big story but a driver winning in a car with the No. 43 on the side and owned by Richard Petty is also a big story. The number was made by Petty back in his heyday, when he won 200 races and seven championships. Forever dubbed the 'King' of the sport and elected to the NASCAR Hall of Fame last season, fan support will never waver for himself or his company,

It just hasn't been easy for the company. Petty though, is back in control and said during the annual media tour 'Welcome to the new Richard Petty Motorsports.' The team will field two cars, Allmendinger in the 43 and newly hired Marcos Ambrose in the No. 9. Both have something they want to prove to the NASCAR world and Petty doesn't want to be the laughing stock of the sport anymore either.

See, there will always be stories. Just maybe none so more then anyone who drives the No. 43, much like another driver that is connected to one of the most famous names in NASCAR history. Allmendinger is indirectly in the same boat because of whom he drives for and what his car number is and both fortunately and unfortunately, not having won he hasn't had to deal with more Petty talks than he's already heard.

But ...

What if AJ Allmendinger is to win his first race this season, bigger story his first win or his car number and owner winning? #NASCAR

@racecrazy: AJ winning-at least to me

@Talon64: Probably his car owner and number winning, #43 hasn't won since 1999. I'd hope it would be AJ though.

@Brandon_MGraves: it would be both

@Matt_Kacar: AJ winning would be bigger because of all the uncertainty he had to go through last year.

@nascarjaj: the bigger story will be the car number winning again

@cruetten: AJ's first win will be the bigger story--i dare say the majority of #nascar fans started watching long after Petty retired.

@Nascar47Fan: My thought is his car no and team owner will overshadow his 1st win.

@Tmac2824: The King will always prevail. Even in headlines.

@MattEmbury: Probably the latter, it's been since 1999 at Martinsville that car has won. #NASCAR

@NancyatStudioN Bigger story would be AJ's win. RP made me sick when he practically pushed KK out of victory lane in Sonoma so he could hog the spotlight

Jose Acero (via Facebook) Trick question Kelly? Obviously we the fans would like for it to be big news AJ winning but as we all know the infamous "media" will put aside AJ's first win and focus on the the owner and the car number going back to victory lane. But from a fans point of view AJ winning no doubt the kid is as talented of a driver than anyone out there